Millions of people visit India every year, and few leave untouched by its culture, heritage, landscapes and people. Travel and volunteer here and you see a side of the country most visitors miss: you work alongside local people, share their routines and still have time to explore. From the noise and color of Delhi to the palaces of Jaipur and the Taj Mahal at dawn, this is a journey like no other.
Is it safe to travel to India?
Millions of tourists, students and volunteers travel in India every year without problems, and with sensible precautions you can too. Check your own government’s travel advice before you book. Our team meets you at the airport, your orientation covers staying safe in the city, and our local coordinators are on call at any hour while you are here. Read our safety tips for volunteers and our advice on traveling solo in India.
You will need a visa: most volunteers come on an Indian e-Visa, applied for online before travel. You also need travel and medical insurance, which is compulsory on every program.
Apply now to volunteer in India in 2026
Apply as early as you can to secure your preferred start date. You hold your place with a booking deposit, which is part of your total price, and pay the balance 45 days before you start. If you book later than that, you pay the balance when we confirm your placement. Our team will help you with every step, from choosing a program to planning your journey.
If you want to travel somewhere far from home, give your time to people who need it and get to know a country from the inside, there is no better place than India.
Volunteer with children and share what you know
If you love spending time with children, you will enjoy working with them here. India guarantees free schooling for children aged 6 to 14, yet many still miss out, because their families need them to earn or simply can’t keep them in school.
Volunteering India works with local organizations that run shelter homes, education centers and schools in Delhi and Jaipur. You help the children learn, play with them and encourage them to aim high. Along the way, you will discover new skills, become more patient and receive more affection than you expect.
Get to know local people and their culture
Volunteering gives you time to talk and bond with local people: the staff at your project, the families you meet and, in Jaipur, your host family if you choose to stay with one. You learn how they live, what their days look like and how they see the world. Our Hindi and culture week in Delhi is a good way to start.
One of India’s fascinations is its diversity. You will soon notice that life in a Delhi neighborhood is very different from life in a village outside Jaipur. As you explore, you learn about different faiths, food, clothing and languages, and every day brings something new to understand.
Try yoga where it began
Yoga began in India, so why not try it while you are here? Rishikesh, a town in the Himalayan foothills on the banks of the Ganges, is famous for yoga and meditation, and many volunteers visit on a long weekend from Delhi. Learn breathing techniques and stretch by the river, then come back to your project refreshed. Your coordinator can help you plan the journey.
Gain hospital experience as a medical intern
If you study medicine, nursing, dentistry or physiotherapy, or are a pre-med student, our medical internship places you at a private hospital in Delhi. You are paired with a doctor, nurse or other professional and rotate through the departments you choose.
The internship is mostly observation: you shadow, observe and help with basic tasks where your training and supervisor allow. It is an incredible learning experience, and first-hand experience like this is valuable in applications and interviews for years to come.
Explore India’s history
You will have plenty of chances to travel and learn about India’s past through its monuments and museums.
India is home to one of the world’s earliest civilizations, and centuries of empires, invasions and colonial rule have all left their mark. In Delhi you see Mughal architecture, with its Persian influences, and the grand colonial avenues of New Delhi. In Punjab you can visit the Golden Temple, the holiest gurdwara of the Sikhs. In Rajasthan you see how different Rajput forts and palaces are from the Mughal monuments. Our weekend trips take you to many of these places, with transport, hotels and guides arranged.
Make it a summer to remember
Summer is our busiest season, and all our programs in Delhi and Jaipur run through June, July and August. Spend your weekdays at a children’s project, a school or a women’s center, and your weekends at the monuments of Delhi, the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the palaces of Jaipur. Our summer guide has start dates and tips for the heat.
We work with local organizations to support communities that need it. Every program includes airport pickup, orientation, accommodation, meals, your project placement and support from our local team at any hour, so your journey is as smooth as possible. Since 2004, we have welcomed volunteers from more than 30 countries.
For more information, email info@volunteeringindia.com.